Joel told the Telegraph: "I entered Caddie as a thank you to him and so he could be recognised. I'm very excited and overwhelmed that he could win the title.

He is my guardian angel. "He makes me more confident, gives me courage and keeps me happy." Joel's mother Janet told how the dog was her unpredictable son's "constant companion" and "makes his world calmer and safer."

Mrs Sayer, 52, a carer said: "Caddie is a constant presence in Joel's life. When we're out the dog wears a special jacket and my son a belt linked to a lead I take and a handle he takes. It stops Joel skipping into the road and staying out of danger."

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Caddie is a finalist in the Giving the Best Start in Life category - Credit: Julian Simmonds for the Telegraph

Joe is a pupil at a normal school but attends a special needs department, which his mum and Caddie drop him off at and collect him from.

Mrs Sayer added: "Now with Caddie by Joel's side I can take occasionally taken my eyes off Joel. The dog goes everywhere with him, even to bed and the bathroom and watches him brush his teeth!"

Aspiring blind footballer Nathan Edge told how his finalist hero dog had helped him after he lost his sight four years ago and "felt my future had been ripped away."

Student Nathan, 22, who suffered from juvenile arthritis aged six which inflamed his eyes leading to complete blindness said guide dog Hudson "has saved my life and been beside me on my emotional journey."

Nathan, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was forced to drop out if a computer science course but is now studying massage therapy in Hereford while training to be in the England blind football team.

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First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world - Credit: Getty

One day he dreams of becoming a Paralympian with Hudson's help. He said: "Hudson's been my motivation and inspiration. If he wins it will be the icing on the cake."

Another inspiring finalist is Browser, the Bull which saved the life of his multiple sclerosis owner Sally, 26, when she collapsed unconscious at home in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

The fourth competitor is military dog Charlie, an expert at sniffing out explosives. He is now deployed on his fourth operational tour in Afghanistan with the British Army saving lives on the front line.

The champion will be decided today by the public vote.

Kellie Ceccarellu, Veterinary Traning Manager for Eukanuba, premium pet nutrition experts, said: "It showcases the impact dogs can have on our life and celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs."